This WASP Couldn’t Wait to Fly

To honor our females veterans.

One benefit of interviewing World War II veterans is the opportunity to develop friendships. My husband and I consider Marty Wyall a friend. Below is a shortened version of her story from my book, WWII Legacies: Stories of Northeast IN Veterans. You can hear Marty speak about her World War II experiences here. She’s still a spunky gal!

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Mary Anna (‘Marty’) Martin Wyall of Fort Wayne learned about the WASP program from a magazine ad while studying bacteriology at DePauw University in 1942. The idea of flying intrigued her. “There was a war on and I wanted to help my country,” she said.

Her family was not keen on the idea. “Mother thought it was morally wrong for me to join the WASP,” she said. “She came from the Victorian era. I told her she would have to accept it…

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About GP Cox

Everett Smith served with the Headquarters Company, 187th Regiment, 11th A/B Division during WWII. This site is in tribute to my father, "Smitty."
GPCox is a member of the 11th Airborne Association. Member # 4511 and extremely proud of that fact!

A friend of mine, who was like an Aunt to me, and she flew cargo planes from the HI Islands during WWII. She spent her whole life flying as a taxi plane in So California and I admired her very much. So I can truthfully say I understand Marty’s story and that I truly admire her too.

You are very welcome. Kayleen told this story very well in tribute and the women do need more recognition. I thank you for sharing the story of your ‘aunt’, that gives us one more veteran we’ve heard about and must remember!

It is a great bunch of people. They talk among themselves too [not just to me – I can become repetitive and boring], add stories of friends and relatives and even add links to improve the posts. I couldn’t ask for a better group!!

One heck of a story! it reminds me that although culture at the time may have drawn certain “DIVIDING” lines between race and gender, when it came to WINNING the WAR, the real heroes of that time Understood the country could not afford DIVISION…we were all in it together and we were either gonna finish together or die trying. Thanks for sharing!!